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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
An endearing and realistic foray into queer identities in adolescence! While I think the writing is a bit more geared toward younger readers, I think adults and children alike would find hope, love, and identity in this novel.
This book will appeal to kids who love to love literature, and is a lot of fun even if it's not your thing.
Quiet Mattie balances her first play role, learning to express her heart, and realizing her own bisexuality, all the while struggling to stay true to her friends. Her adventure kept me flipping pages until the end.
I'll admit that, at first, I'd wanted the ending tied with a pretty bow (spoilers: it wasn't, exactly), but that's the spirit of middle school, isn't it? It's a story of becoming.
I loved that the family relationships were realistic, even the minor characters were nuanced, and that (in the end) Mattie's understanding of the entire world (and *all* her relationships) has stretched a bit. If you're a sucker for school-setting middle grade books, Barbara Dee absolutely scores 10/10.
Quiet Mattie balances her first play role, learning to express her heart, and realizing her own bisexuality, all the while struggling to stay true to her friends. Her adventure kept me flipping pages until the end.
I'll admit that, at first, I'd wanted the ending tied with a pretty bow (spoilers: it wasn't, exactly), but that's the spirit of middle school, isn't it? It's a story of becoming.
I loved that the family relationships were realistic, even the minor characters were nuanced, and that (in the end) Mattie's understanding of the entire world (and *all* her relationships) has stretched a bit. If you're a sucker for school-setting middle grade books, Barbara Dee absolutely scores 10/10.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Adorable middle grade romance AND theatre story AND discovering-what-you're-good-at-and-how-to-go-after-it story AND retelling of Romeo and Juliet. (Why do only one or two things with your story when you can do four?)
4.5 stars.
This was SO DEAR. So, so dear.
I don't read a lot of middle grade, but middle grade F/F with a bi heroine, I was always going to be SUPER HERE for this. This book could be so important to young queer readers, and I'm so grateful and happy it exists. Mattie was a delight, Gemma was wonderful, in terms of the girl who likes another girl aspect, this is so not dramatic at all and just lovely and cute.
The half star is subtracted for the amount of Mean Girls in this book that just weren't needed at all, nor did they add anything to the story.
This was SO DEAR. So, so dear.
I don't read a lot of middle grade, but middle grade F/F with a bi heroine, I was always going to be SUPER HERE for this. This book could be so important to young queer readers, and I'm so grateful and happy it exists. Mattie was a delight, Gemma was wonderful, in terms of the girl who likes another girl aspect, this is so not dramatic at all and just lovely and cute.
The half star is subtracted for the amount of Mean Girls in this book that just weren't needed at all, nor did they add anything to the story.
What a lovely book. A very realistic look at crushes and friendship in middle school. The teacher was also a realistic character as was putting in a school play. The best part is the development of Mattie’s crush on Gemma.
4.75 stars, would’ve been 5 but the ending felt a bit rushed after all the build-up :/
i’ve just spent the entire day in a haze because of this book. it perfectly captures the internal struggle that comes with figuring out you might be gay and it’s a book that i wish i’d had when i was younger. it’s the first middle grade i’ve read with a sapphic mc (it’s unclear whether the mc is bi or a lesbian, though she seems to not want to box herself in by using a label (and is still open to dating boys? i think?)) and the first one i’ve read that deals specifically with a coming out arc, but it was handled so spectacularly, and in a way that resonates even years after having gone through those same emotions myself, that i found myself flipping the pages at an insane rate.
the book takes place over several months as an 8th-grade english class prepares for their class production of romeo and juliet. it’s mostly lighthearted with a lot of funny quips, shakespeare quotes, and a whole lot of head-swimming (if you’ve read the book you’ll know what im talking about lol). the mc’s introspection gives a real insight into the feelings that a lot of young wlw go through while trying to figure out their identity, and her voice is actually very mature while still ringing true for a 13-year-old - a balance which can be difficult to find in a lot of books, regardless of demographic.
so, perhaps unsurprisingly, i found myself getting more into this middle grade contemporary than i have a lot of sapphic YA and adult books recently. idk if it’s because the book was very much centred on the mc’s developing feelings or because it reminded me so much of how i was at that age, when i was still trying to work my head around my own jumbled up feelings. long story short, i loved it, and the R&J quotes being used as a metaphor for the mc’s feelings towards her crush just made my heart so warm and fuzzy that i smiled pretty much all the way through reading it.
the one negative i could point out, besides the rushed ending, is that i was almost disappointed when the mc veered more towards claiming the bi label as opposed to lesbian. not because there’s anything wrong with her being bi, and it’s important for bi experiences to be recognised and represented, particularly in MG, but because the ground was so well laid with themes of comphet that, as a lesbian, the whole thing just screamed “baby lesbian having her gay awakening” to me. also, i don’t think comphet is a concept talked about nearly enough in literature, *specifically* in middle grade and YA, the age group when many people start to come to terms with their identity, including questioning their sexuality. a lot of the time young people don’t even realise they *could* be gay because all of their true feelings are hidden under a weighted blanket of “this is how im supposed to feel and i don’t know anything else so i guess it must be right”, and having media discuss these feelings, as well as how comphet manifests, could be paramount to a lot of people understanding their own feelings. speaking for myself, i know if i’d seen more discussions of comphet and what that looks like growing up, i would’ve realised i was a lesbian way sooner than i did.
in conclusion, i had a surprisingly great time reading this book. i was reminded of all the things i used to love about middle grade, while quietly enjoying the knowledge that kids today have access to books like this, where romeo & juliet can be about two girls who like each other, and neither of them has to die at the end.
i’ve just spent the entire day in a haze because of this book. it perfectly captures the internal struggle that comes with figuring out you might be gay and it’s a book that i wish i’d had when i was younger. it’s the first middle grade i’ve read with a sapphic mc (it’s unclear whether the mc is bi or a lesbian, though she seems to not want to box herself in by using a label (and is still open to dating boys? i think?)) and the first one i’ve read that deals specifically with a coming out arc, but it was handled so spectacularly, and in a way that resonates even years after having gone through those same emotions myself, that i found myself flipping the pages at an insane rate.
the book takes place over several months as an 8th-grade english class prepares for their class production of romeo and juliet. it’s mostly lighthearted with a lot of funny quips, shakespeare quotes, and a whole lot of head-swimming (if you’ve read the book you’ll know what im talking about lol). the mc’s introspection gives a real insight into the feelings that a lot of young wlw go through while trying to figure out their identity, and her voice is actually very mature while still ringing true for a 13-year-old - a balance which can be difficult to find in a lot of books, regardless of demographic.
so, perhaps unsurprisingly, i found myself getting more into this middle grade contemporary than i have a lot of sapphic YA and adult books recently. idk if it’s because the book was very much centred on the mc’s developing feelings or because it reminded me so much of how i was at that age, when i was still trying to work my head around my own jumbled up feelings. long story short, i loved it, and the R&J quotes being used as a metaphor for the mc’s feelings towards her crush just made my heart so warm and fuzzy that i smiled pretty much all the way through reading it.
the one negative i could point out, besides the rushed ending, is that i was almost disappointed when the mc veered more towards claiming the bi label as opposed to lesbian. not because there’s anything wrong with her being bi, and it’s important for bi experiences to be recognised and represented, particularly in MG, but because the ground was so well laid with themes of comphet that, as a lesbian, the whole thing just screamed “baby lesbian having her gay awakening” to me. also, i don’t think comphet is a concept talked about nearly enough in literature, *specifically* in middle grade and YA, the age group when many people start to come to terms with their identity, including questioning their sexuality. a lot of the time young people don’t even realise they *could* be gay because all of their true feelings are hidden under a weighted blanket of “this is how im supposed to feel and i don’t know anything else so i guess it must be right”, and having media discuss these feelings, as well as how comphet manifests, could be paramount to a lot of people understanding their own feelings. speaking for myself, i know if i’d seen more discussions of comphet and what that looks like growing up, i would’ve realised i was a lesbian way sooner than i did.
in conclusion, i had a surprisingly great time reading this book. i was reminded of all the things i used to love about middle grade, while quietly enjoying the knowledge that kids today have access to books like this, where romeo & juliet can be about two girls who like each other, and neither of them has to die at the end.
Shakespeare Nerd-Girls unite! This is a fabulous story on so many levels. Theater geeks, friendships, being an outsider, first crushes, big sisters--this sweet and funny MG has it all. I loved it.
Mattie and her friends are thrilled when they learn that the eighth grade play will be an unabridged version of Romeo & Juliet. Life would be great if she could figure out why popular girl Willow hates her and is inviting everyone but her to parties. Mattie risks more of Willow's wrath when she starts getting friendly with new girl Gemma, already part of Willow's circle. But Mattie is willingly to risk Willow's wrath because she just can't stop thinking about Gemma. A sweet look at crushes, friendships, and plenty of Shakespeare. Recommended for grades 4 and up.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this to add to my classroom library. I know that my students are looking forward to reading Romeo and Juliet in high school. I feel the need to ward them that this book will give away plot points or may not seem interesting without knowing the story.